Ranked choice voting (RCV) is a simple change to the way we vote. With RCV, you can rank candidates on your ballot in the order you prefer: 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and so on. If your favorite can’t win, your vote counts for your next choice.
Ranked-choice voting is as simple as choosing a flavor of ice cream. You’ll ask for your favorite flavor, but if that choice isn’t available, you’ll opt for a backup choice.
All of the first-choice votes are counted. If one candidate gets more than half the votes, they win - just like in any other election. However, if no candidate gets more than half of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. If your candidate was eliminated, your ballot goes to your next choice! That elimination process repeats until a candidate has a majority.
Your vote will always count for the candidate you liked the most that has a chance at winning.
No! You can mark one candidate as your first choice and leave everything else blank, or you can choose to rank as many candidates as you want. That’s totally up to you!
No! You can mark one candidate as your first choice and leave everything else blank, or you can choose to rank as many candidates as you want. That’s totally up to you!
Yes. With RCV, every voter gets exactly one vote, and each vote is treated equally. RCV has weathered several legal challenges and every court has agreed that RCV gives each vote equal weight.
No. The number of rankings will be equal to the number of candidates running for the office, up to a maximum of six rankings.
No. Ranking other candidates does not affect your first choice. Only your first choice is counted in Round 1. Your second, third, fourth, and other choices will be considered only if your first-choice candidate does not win.
If no candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes, the last-place candidate is eliminated. If your first choice is eliminated, your next choice will be counted, and so on. The process of elimination continues until there is a winner.
No. Your vote can count only once for your first choice. If you rank the same candidate first, second, and third, it is the same as leaving the second and third choices blank.
No. If you give multiple candidates the same ranking, this is called an “over-vote”. Your vote in that rank and later ranks cannot be counted.
Clark County voters will use ranked-choice voting to elect representatives for only these county offices:
We averaged voter turnout in both the primary and the general election in Clark County (even years only because Clark County offices are elected in even years only).
In 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018,and 2020. As we may suspect average turnout is lower in the primary. 35.89% to be exact. Average General Election turnout in Clark County is 71.66%
The results of the general being more reflective of the voters in Clark County due to higher turnout and voter participation.
Here are a few of the reported benefits:
MORE CHOICE, MORE SAY
RCV gives you the option to support your favorite candidate without worrying about throwing away your vote or accidentally helping to elect your least favorite candidate. If your favorite can’t win, your vote goes to your next choice.
MORE ISSUE-FOCUSED CAMPAIGNS
RCV encourages candidates to speak to ALL voters -- not just their narrow base of supporters. That’s because candidates are also competing for second and third choice votes. In RCV contests, candidates do best when they reach out positively to as many voters as possible, including those supporting their opponents.
VOICE FOR COMMUNITIES
RCV ensures that elected officials better reflect their communities, and that voters feel their vote matters.
LESS SORE LOSERS/DISAPPOINTED VOTERS
RCV allows voters more choices so should their first choice not win their second or third choice may and they feel as if their vote counted. Voters feel like their vote matters.
As of June 2021, 22 jurisdictions have used RCV in their most recent election and 53 places are planning to use RCV in either their next election or the one following. That represents 2 states, 1 county, 26 cities outside of Utah, and 23 cities in Utah.
The biggest jurisdiction that uses RCV is New York City. The states of Alaska and Maine have adopted RCV statewide, and many more states are considering RCV legislation both to adopt RCV statewide and to assist localities in local implementation.
RCV simply elects the candidates most preferred by the voters, regardless of whether that’s a Republican, Democrat, independent, or minor party candidate. RCV has been enacted in Republican-controlled Utah, Democrat-controlled California, and the “purple” state of Maine. In Washington state advocates for ranked choice voting include members of every political persuasion.
Yes! Places that use RCV often see more women and people of color running for office and winning elections. This is part of why voters feel better represented when they can rank their choices.
RCV makes running for office more feasible for first-time candidates because they don’t need to worry about splitting the vote with other like-minded candidates. They also don’t need to engage in negative campaigning in order to have a fair shot at winning, and they don’t need to raise as much money in order to be competitive. Candidates have a strong incentive to reach out with a positive message to all voters and to avoid mudslinging for fear of alienating voters who are supporting other candidates. If a candidate can’t earn your first-choice support, they still want to earn your second- or third-choice support.
The County Council shall consult with the County Executive elected officials – Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff and Treasurer – prior to making the appointment of a new county manager.
The Clark County Council appoints the county manager by a simple majority (Section 3.2 of the Home Rule Charter).
Per Section 3.2 of the Home Rule Charter, the county manager “shall be the county's chief executive officer and have all executive powers of the county which are not expressly vested in other elected officers by state law or this charter.”
Per the Charter, the county manager shall:
The county manager is responsible for a number of departments and functions of the county government that the executive elected officials rely on to accomplish their responsibilities under state law and help assist each office achieve their long-term strategic plans. Three of the most critical departments under the county manager are the budget, human resources, and information and technology that the executive elected officials rely on.
Many Home Rule Counties in Washington state have a preamble to introduce their Charter. Our Clark County Home Rule Charter does not have a preamble at the beginning of the Charter. This amendment adds a Preamble and Acknowledgement that describes the purpose of Clark County government and acknowledges our rich history and culture.
During an unplanned vacancy having a knowledgeable, experience manager in a highly complex office is critical for continuity of operations and in serving the public effectively. The chief deputy and senior managers are the same people who manage the day to day operations when the executive elected official is temporarily out of the office due to meetings, illness, or vacations, etc. They would have minimal orientation time to fill in the temporary role. Having internal management staff run the office for a short time keeps the office operations separate from the political election process.
For unplanned Elected Official office vacancy.
If elected office vacancies are not addressed in the Clark County Home Rule Charter, then existing state law (RCW 36.16.110 “Vacancies in Office”) would be in effect:
Within 60 days of the vacancy occurring, the county council would appoint a qualified person to the office until they are either replaced or approved by voters at the next general election. The council would choose from a list of three qualified (by law qualified means a registered voter) nominees provided by the county manager. If the council fails to agree on a replacement before the 60 days is up, the decision would go to the governor who will have 30 days to appoint someone from the list of nominees.
For unplanned County Councilor vacancy. (Also RCW 36.16.110)
The process is same as above, except the council chair provides the list of three qualified nominees to the county council.
Per RCW 36.27.010, all county elected positions including the Auditor, Clerk, Councilor and Treasurer must be registered to vote in the county or council district as well as additional requirements for;
Assessor - RCW 36.21.015 requires the person to have qualifications for assessing real property;
Prosecuting Attorney - RCW 36.27.010 requires the person in the position to be a member of the Washington State Bar and;
Sheriff - RCW 36.28.025 requires the person within twelve months of assuming the office, a certificate of completion of a basic law enforcement training which complies with standards adopted by the criminal justice training commission pursuant to RCW 43.101.080 and 43.101.160
Section 7.1 “Direct Government” of the county charter grants “The people of Clark County reserve the power to make certain proposals at their option and to approve or reject them at the polls, independent of the council.” This is a key difference between a county home rule charter and a statutory county. Petitioners can bring forward a proposed ordinance or change in the charter for the voters to consider at a general election.
There are some limitations on initiatives such as anything outside of state or federal law or court interpretations may not be proposed or adopted by initiative; ordinances providing for compensation or working conditions of county employees or elected officials; redistricting council districts; authorizing or repealing an appropriation of money or any portion of the annual budget; authorizing or repealing taxes or fees; authorizing or repealing any provision of a service or program provided by the county; and amending or repealing this charter.
Valid signatures collected shall number no less than ten (10) percent of the number of votes cast in the county in the last gubernatorial election.
The amendment reduces the percentage required in the formula for initiative and referendum signatures from ten (10) percent to eight (8) percent. The purpose of the initiative and referendum process is to have a realistic opportunity to collect signatures in 120 days without the pressure to get special interest money or wealthy donors to help complete the signature timeframe. The initiative and referendum process was adopted by the voters in 2014 to provide an opportunity for the public have a check and balance on the county councilors policies. The eight percent figure is more in line and right in the middle between other larger and smaller charter counties.
This amendment, if adopted, would establish, in the County Manager’s office, a new position focused on advising and providing resources for departments and staff to improve the county work environment and general public services. The Diversity and Inclusion Officer will work with the County Manager to create the commission which will consist of nine members appointed by the County Manager and confirmed by the County Council.
County elected officials and staff as well as community groups came to the commission and expressed a need for an officer and resources within county government to provide guidance on non discriminatory practices to improve the county work environment and general public services. The commission would cultivate and increase community engagement. Community input and engagement is a critical part of our counties’ success. The county has also been involved in expensive litigation that some commissioners believe could be avoided in the future with a dedicated staff member providing resources and advice.
A commission is a form of community-based advisory committee. Community-based advisory committees/commissions engage the public and provide a direct avenue for community members and stakeholders to get involved and be heard.
It is anticipated that the county manager would work with the county council to budget this position out of existing general fund resources. The county manager has discretion to hire this officer using existing staffing resources as well. This would eliminate the need to hire outside consultants to provide resources for non discrimination questions and training which is current practice. Some Charter Review Commissioners believe that establishing this office may reduce the risk of future claims or litigation against the county on disability and equal rights and non discrimination cases and in doing so save the county money.
In November 2014, the voters of Clark County voted to adopt the home rule charter form of government. A Home Rule Charter is similar to a Constitution, but for our county. It provides for the structure and foundation of county government, as well as provides for citizen participation in government via initiative, referendum and mini-initiative. It provides for separation of the executive/administrative and legislative branches of government.
Download a map of Clark County showing the four councilor districts along with precincts. Note that the fifth county councilor is currently the at-large, countywide elected chair position.
Seven Washington counties have successfully adopted home rule charters: King (1969), Clallam (1977), Whatcom (1979), Snohomish (1980), Pierce (1981), San Juan (2006), and Clark (2015).
The current charter contains a requirement that it be reviewed by a 15-member elected review commission. Three members are elected countywide and each of the four county councilor districts has three commissioners as well. As required in the charter, commission members were elected in November 2020 and took office in January 2021. Any changes to the charter that the review commission recommends would go to a countywide vote in a general election.
The terms of the current Charter Review Commission will expire December 31, 2021.
At its July 7, 2021, meeting, the Charter Review Commission passed seven resolutions to put the following measures on the November 2, 2021, General Election ballot:
Resolution No. 2021-1: A RESOLUTION to submit to the voters of Clark County a proposal to amend the Clark County Home Rule Charter regarding making the positions of County Executive Elected Offices (assessor, auditor, clerk, prosecuting attorney, sheriff and treasurer) nonpartisan for declarations of and filing for candidacy, and listing on the ballot in elections for such positions.
Resolution No. 2021-2: A RESOLUTION to submit to the voters of Clark County a proposal to amend the Clark County Home Rule Charter regarding making the positions of County Councilor Offices nonpartisan for declarations of and filing for candidacy, and listing on the ballot in elections for such positions.
Resolution No. 2021-3: A RESOLUTION to submit to the voters of Clark County a proposal to amend the Clark County Home Rule Charter, to provide for five-district County Council composition and redefine the appointment and function of the council chair.
Resolution No. 2021-4: A RESOLUTION to submit to the voters of Clark County a proposal to amend the Clark County Home Rule Charter regarding charter review frequency and charter review commissioner terms of office.
Resolution No. 2021-5: A RESOLUTION to submit to the voters of Clark County a proposal to amend the Clark County Home Rule Charter by requiring adoption of a new ethics code and autonomous review process.
Resolution No. 2021-6: A RESOLUTION to submit to the voters of Clark County a proposal to amend the Clark County Home Rule Charter by establishment of an office of diversity, equity and inclusion and a diversity, equity and inclusion commission.
Resolution No. 2021-7: A RESOLUTION to submit to the voters of Clark County which would make minor corrections and technical clarifications to the Charter.
The County Council added two Charter amendment measures to the November 2, 2021, ballot. These are shown below. More information on the two County Council amendments can be found here.
Clark County Council - Ordinance No. 2021-07-12: AN ORDINANCE, proposing an amendment to the Clark County Home Rules Charter relating to the persons eligible to vote on certain initiatives, mini-initiatives and referenda.
All measures will be “Yes/No” questions on the ballot. A simple majority of “Yes” voters is needed for any measure to be approved. For those receiving a majority of “Yes” votes, the measure would go into effect January 1, 2022 unless otherwise noted in the specific measure.